North Fork Clearwater River

Tributary of the Clearwater River

    North Fork Clearwater River in Clearwater and Shoshone Counties is 134.7 miles in length.

    Interactive Map
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    Facilities

    Motor Restriction
    No
    Boat Ramp
    Yes
    Dock
    No
    Toilet
    Yes
    Campground
    Yes
    ADA Access
    Handicap Accessible

    Recommended Game Fish

    Species Observed in Surveys

    Fish Stocking Records

    Date Species Quantity General Size
    2024/04/12 Chinook Spring 592,527 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2023/04/13 Chinook Spring 251,947 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2023/03/30 Chinook Spring 450,735 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2022/04/14 Chinook Spring 238,321 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2022/03/31 Chinook Spring 460,990 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2021/04/14 Chinook Spring 197,556 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2021/03/31 Chinook Spring 382,762 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2020/03/27 Chinook Spring 202,672 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2020/03/26 Chinook Spring 541,167 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2019/04/12 Chinook Spring 574,038 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2019/03/29 Chinook Spring 702,546 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2018/03/30 Chinook Spring 544,153 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2017/03/19 Chinook Spring 389,115 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2016/04/04 Chinook Spring 489,072 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2005/10/06 Westslope Cutthroat 120 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2005/04/18 Steelhead B-Run 1,122,064 Catchable (6+ inches)
    2005/04/04 Chinook Spring 1,072,359 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2003/04/21 Steelhead B-Run 1,210,919 Catchable (6+ inches)
    2003/03/19 Chinook Spring 1,033,982 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2002/09/30 Steelhead 63,957 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2002/04/09 Chinook Spring 206,473 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2002/03/27 Chinook Spring 1,000,561 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2001/03/28 Chinook Spring 333,028 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    2000/04/05 Chinook Spring 1,017,873 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1999/06/22 Kokanee - Early Spawner 904,672 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1999/04/07 Chinook Spring 1,044,511 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1998/03/25 Chinook Spring 973,400 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1997/04/07 Chinook Spring 53,078 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1996/04/11 Chinook Spring 102,903 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1995/04/14 Chinook Spring 698,004 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1995/04/13 Chinook Spring 613,441 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1994/05/06 Chinook Spring 74,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1994/04/22 Chinook Spring 84,654 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1994/04/14 Chinook Spring 1,049,477 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1994/04/08 Chinook Spring 69,642 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1993/04/08 Chinook Spring 467,222 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1991/04/03 Chinook Spring 1,094,884 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1989/03/30 Chinook Spring 1,026,061 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1989/03/29 Chinook Spring 433,321 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1988/09/28 Chinook Spring 192,090 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1988/05/04 Steelhead B-Run 1,429,516 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1988/04/18 Steelhead B-Run 140,019 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1988/03/30 Chinook Spring 1,354,889 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1988/03/30 Steelhead B-Run 26,171 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1987/03/05 Steelhead B-Run 7,728 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1985/04/30 Chinook Spring 75,513 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1985/04/04 Chinook Spring 365,791 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1985/04/03 Chinook Spring 713,835 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1984/11/01 Chinook Spring 53,423 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1984/09/26 Steelhead B-Run 191,252 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1984/05/21 Chinook Spring 234,475 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1984/04/25 Chinook Spring 178,219 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1984/04/24 Chinook Spring 221,715 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1984/04/04 Chinook Spring 25,423 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1984/03/20 Chinook Spring 232,862 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1983/11/03 Chinook Spring 31,318 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1983/05/03 Steelhead B-Run 35,177 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1983/04/01 Chinook Spring 137,329 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1983/03/29 Chinook Spring 310,329 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1983/03/28 Chinook Spring 24,190 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1982/12/16 Chinook Spring 28,100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1981/04/01 Rainbow Unspecified 54,712 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1980/05/14 Steelhead 168,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/05/05 Steelhead 131,902 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/05/02 Steelhead 240,566 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/30 Steelhead 167,995 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/25 Steelhead 104,709 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/24 Steelhead 136,912 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/23 Steelhead 171,342 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/22 Steelhead 41,464 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/17 Steelhead 132,186 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1980/04/16 Steelhead 197,411 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1979/04/09 Steelhead 780,762 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1979/04/06 Steelhead 91,272 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1979/04/04 Steelhead 1,582,590 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1978/04/28 Steelhead 169,959 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1978/04/27 Steelhead 221,130 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1978/04/25 Steelhead 653,130 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1978/04/21 Steelhead 102,644 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1978/04/14 Steelhead 51,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1977/06/03 Steelhead 14,983 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1977/05/31 Steelhead 17,448 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1977/05/13 Steelhead 363,564 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1977/04/29 Steelhead 475,906 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1977/04/27 Steelhead 973,458 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1977/03/15 Steelhead 49,742 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1976/05/20 Steelhead 210,331 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1976/04/26 Steelhead 960,727 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1976/04/12 Steelhead 582,220 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/04/24 Steelhead 321,548 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/04/23 Steelhead 267,774 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/04/22 Steelhead 242,781 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/04/21 Steelhead 354,202 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/04/17 Steelhead 544,008 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/03/27 Steelhead 31,565 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1975/02/04 Rainbow Unspecified 13,853 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1974/05/08 Steelhead 72,318 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1974/04/26 Steelhead 1,056,175 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1974/04/24 Steelhead 980,419 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1974/04/02 Steelhead 279,943 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1974/03/26 Steelhead 867,781 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1974/03/06 Steelhead 215,540 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1974/03/05 Rainbow Unspecified 68 Adults
    1974/03/05 Steelhead 50 Adults
    1974/02/26 Steelhead 2,781 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1973/08/31 Cutthroat 4,050 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1973/04/16 Steelhead 2,550,816 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1973/03/21 Steelhead 77,903 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1971/03/18 Steelhead 183,457 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1971/03/17 Steelhead 411,833 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1971/03/16 Steelhead 344,787 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1971/03/15 Steelhead 355,307 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/07/30 Rainbow Unspecified 4,760 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1970/07/21 Rainbow Unspecified 4,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1970/06/03 Rainbow Unspecified 3,255 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1970/05/14 Steelhead 123,316 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/04/27 Steelhead 347,728 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/04/24 Steelhead 176,877 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/04/23 Steelhead 218,117 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/04/22 Steelhead 166,469 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/04/21 Steelhead 159,664 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1970/04/20 Steelhead 179,372 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1969/07/23 Rainbow Unspecified 3,840 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1969/06/18 Rainbow Unspecified 3,360 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1968/08/14 Rainbow Unspecified 4,160 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
    1968/07/03 Rainbow Unspecified 3,920 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1968/06/25 Rainbow Unspecified 2,925 Catchable (6+ inches)
    Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

    Licenses and Tags

    Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
     

    See our separate pages for Chinook, Coho and Steelhead Seasons and Rules

    Fishing Rules, 2025 - 2027

    All Waters Open All Year

    Except as modified in Special Rules
    Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.

    Daily Bag Limits

    The following daily bag limits apply to all waters within each region except as modified in the Special Rules. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit.

    Special Rules

    Clearwater River, North Fork From the mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam
    • Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
    • When fishing from Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge, it is illegal to take or attempt to take any fish downstream of the railroad bridge; fishing from the railroad bridge is prohibited
    • Fishing from any watercraft or wading is prohibited between the posted line approximately 150 yards upstream from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater River and the Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge
    • Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
    Clearwater River, North Fork From upper end of flat water in Dworshak Reservoir upstream
    • Barbless hooks required
    • December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend – trout – catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
    • Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - trout limit is 2, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches, no bait allowed
    Kelly Creek and tributaries
    • Trout – catch-and-release only
    • No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
    Clearwater Region Bag Limits
    Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

    • In rivers and streams, no bag, length or possession limits
    • In lakes and reservoirs, limit is 6, both species combined

    Brook Trout

    • Brook Trout limit is 25
    • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout

    Bull Trout

    • Bull Trout - catch-and-release

    Kokanee

    • Kokanee limit is 25

    Salmon (ocean-run)

    • Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures
    • Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here
    • Sockeye Salmon fishing is prohibited. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam), and the Clearwater River drainage (excluding that portion above Dworshak Dam and lakes)
    • Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water

    Steelhead (ocean-run)

    • Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs), and the Clearwater River drainage (excluding that portion above Dworshak Dam, and lakes)
    • Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water. See fishing regulations for details

    Sturgeon

    • Sturgeon - catch-and-release
    • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
    • Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are required. See fishing regulations for details

    Tiger Muskie

    • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

    Trout includes Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

    • In rivers and streams, trout limit is 2, all species combined
    • In lakes, reservoirs, ditches and canals, trout limit is 6, all species combined
    • Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately

    Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

    • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

    Whitefish

    • Whitefish limit is 25
    • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish

    Protected Nongame Fish includes Pacific Lamprey and Sand Roller

    • May not be harvested or possessed

    All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

    • No bag, length, or possession limits
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